Literature

New housing development planned for Richmondshire

A new housing development has been proposed for an area of North Yorkshire recently highlighted as being among the happiest places to live in the UK.

Developer Belway Homes has sought permission to construct 64 properties at a site on the edge of the village of Scorton. These would be sited on fields just to the north of the existing settlement.

The new houses would consist of two, three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes, with 26 of the two and three-bedroom properties being classed as affordable and available on a purchase or rental basis.

Documents submitted to support the application state: "The site offers good opportunities for the creation of a distinctive residential neighbourhood."

They also said: "The proposal seeks to provide a community with a distinct character and a strong sense of place."

Bellway has submitted its plans after holding a consultation on the scheme earlier this year, including public meetings in Scorton. Among the plans are a 'green corridor' to help increase biodiversity, as well as reducing the visual impact of the development from the north.

Like other housing projects in rural areas, getting the support if the local public is essential. While it is widely accepted that the construction of new homes is essential to tackle the housing crisis, many people are rather less happy to see part of the solution being built near them. That can often mean projects face protracted opposition, public enquiries and lengthy legal battles.

Scorton offers a compelling location because it lies in between the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, which means it is not constrained by the tighter planning regulations that would apply if it was in either national park. It is also close to Richmond, the main town in the area.

There are good reasons for people to want to move to Richmondshire. Last month, the Office for National Statistics listed two North Yorkshire districts as being among Britain's five happiest places to live in. Neighbouring Craven, which includes Skipton and the Yorkshire Three Peaks area, was listed as the happiest of all.